Wake Forest, App State to compete in free game in Shelby

The American Legion World Series Executive Committee will present a college baseball game at Keeter Stadium on Tuesday, April 30. The game between the Wake Forest Demon Deacons and the Appalachian State University Mountaineers is scheduled for 6 p.m. with free admission.

New to this year’s game, ALWS will be drawing live from the field for the 2024 bat boys and bat girls.

Wake Forest Head Coach Tom Walter is giving up one of the university’s home games to host the game as a tribute to the late Jim Horn. Horn, a Wake Forest graduate who played football and baseball, was a member of the college’s 1955 national championship baseball team. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 82 team that won the 1951 state championship.

Horn served as co-chairman with Eddie Holbrook of the local ALWS committee from 2002 until Horn’s death in 2015, the fifth year with Keeter Stadium as the home field for the ALWS.

Horn and his wife, Linda, were both volunteers for the ALWS from the initial work to bring the series to Shelby. Linda Horn still volunteers and spearheads the preparations for the April 30 game.

“It is an honor to welcome Coach Walter and his team to Shelby again,” Holbrook said in a press release. “He has been a strong supporter of the ALWS for years. He is generous in giving us a home game to celebrate Jim Horn. Under his leadership, Wake Forest has risen to national prominence. We are fortunate to host such a powerhouse from 2023 and in 2024.”

The gates at Keeter Stadium will open at 4 p.m. the day of the game so attendees can watch the teams in batting practice. The main concession stand will offer hot dogs and drinks. The free admission is a “thank you” to the community for its support of the ALWS, the press release said.